How far is Van Buren, ME from Auburn, ME?

The driving distance from Van Buren, ME to Auburn, ME is about 297.1 miles (478.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 238.7 miles (384.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
297.17 mi
05h 03m
Flight
238.7 mi
384.15 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Van Buren.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
238.7 mi
Kilometers
384.15 km
Flight Time
00h 28m

Driving Distance

Road route
297.17 mi
Kilometers
478.25 km
Drive Time
05h 03m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 05h 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Auburn
Sat, May 30, 1:07 PM EDT
Return by in Van Buren
Sat, May 30, 6:11 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Van Buren
2026-05-30T08:04
Arrive Auburn
Sat, May 30, 1:07 PM EDT
Route Timing
05h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:03 AM to 1:03 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:54 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Van Buren
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Chester
ME

Town of the United States

From Van Buren
148.8 mi
02h 31m
To Auburn
148.4 mi
02h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
57°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 13 mph NE
Destination
55°F
Saturday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph NE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Van Buren and Auburn.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Van Buren and Auburn.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    19 m · 10 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Main Street

    9.2 mi · 15 min · Main Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Van Buren Road

    11.4 mi · 17 min · Van Buren Road

  4. 4

    Continue on Main Street

    1.4 km · 1 min · Main Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Fort Fairfield Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Fort Fairfield Road

  6. 6

    Continue on East Limestone Road

    8.4 mi · 12 min · East Limestone Road

  7. 7

    Continue on Bridge Street

    990 ft · 19 sec · Bridge Street

  8. 8

    Continue on Presque Isle Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · Presque Isle Street

  9. 9

    Continue on Houlton Road

    12 mi · 18 min · Houlton Road

  10. 10

    Continue on Fort Road

    5.8 mi · 9 min · Fort Road

  11. 11

    Continue on Bridge Street

    547 ft · 9 sec · Bridge Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Main Street

    3090 ft · 2 min · Main Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Military Road

    1649 ft · 40 sec · Military Road

  14. 14

    Continue on Route 1

    2.7 mi · 4 min · Route 1

  15. 15

    Continue on Main Road

    6.7 mi · 11 min · Main Road

  16. 16

    Continue on Route 1

    6.4 mi · 10 min · Route 1

  17. 17

    Continue on US Highway 1

    1.1 km · 55 sec · US Highway 1

  18. 18

    Continue on North Road

    5.8 mi · 8 min · North Road

  19. 19

    Continue on North Street

    3.1 mi · 6 min · North Street

  20. 20

    Take the exit right

    1588 ft · 39 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight left

    191.4 mi · 3 hr 20 min

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward US 202 West, ME 11 West, ME 17 West, ME 100 West: Winthrop

    1014 ft · 30 sec

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Western Avenue

    2.8 mi · 3 min · Western Avenue

  24. 24

    Continue on US 202

    12.8 mi · 15 min · US 202

  25. 25

    Continue on US Route 202

    1.5 km · 1 min · US Route 202

  26. 26

    Continue on Route 202

    2.7 mi · 3 min · Route 202

  27. 27

    Continue on US Route 202

    1 km · 43 sec · US Route 202

  28. 28

    Continue on Route 202

    3.8 mi · 4 min · Route 202

  29. 29

    Continue on Main Street

    4.9 mi · 6 min · Main Street

  30. 30

    Continue on Court Street

    2156 ft · 39 sec · Court Street

  31. 31

    Turn left onto Minot Avenue

    541 ft · 42 sec · Minot Avenue

  32. 32

    Continue on Minot Avenue

    139 m · 6 sec · Minot Avenue

  33. 33

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Minot Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Van Buren and Auburn.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
33 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North Street
195 mi · 66%
Main Street
15.5 mi · 5%
US 202
12.8 mi · 4%
Houlton Road
12 mi · 4%
Van Buren Road
11.4 mi · 4%
Route 1
9.15 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

North Street

Merge slight left

191 mi · 03h 20m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
05h 03m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+58.4 mi
238.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Chester
02h 31m from Van Buren
Leave By
6:54 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Van Buren and Light Rain Likely near Auburn.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Van Buren to Auburn?

The road trip is about 297.1 miles (478.2 km) and usually takes 05h 03m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Chester is a useful midpoint, sitting about 148.8 miles from Van Buren and 148.4 miles from Auburn.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 238.7 miles (384.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 58.4 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:54 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.34 one way or $82.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Van Buren and Light Rain Likely near Auburn.

Stop Ideas Near Chester

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Chester, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Chester.

BUS

Orono (University of Maine), Maine

58 mi away
Squapan Rd and Gym Dr
BUS

Bangor, Maine

70 mi away
1039 Union St.
BUS

Searsport, Maine

110 mi away
161 East Main St.
BUS

Belfast, Maine

117 mi away
Belmont Ave & US Hwy 1

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Van Buren and Auburn. Straight-line distance: 238.7 mi (384.15 km).

Van Buren

#1 Van Buren

Town in Aroostook County, Maine, United States

Population1,983
Coordinates47.1572700, -67.9353000
Altitude147
CountryUnited States
Auburn

#2 Auburn

City in Maine, USA

Population23,410
Coordinates44.0978500, -70.2311700
Altitude58
CountryUnited States
Start: (-67.935215, 47.157213)
End: Minot Avenue (-70.231156, 44.097849)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 478 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.48 gal
39.69 L · about $41.34
Round trip
$82.69
20.96 gal · 79.38 L
Estimated CO2
93.1 kg one way
Round trip: 186.3 kg / 411 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.95 $41.34 $82.69
Mid-grade $4.46 $46.71 $93.42
Premium $4.86 $50.91 $101.82
Diesel $6.00 $62.85 $125.70

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Maine · May 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Van Buren and Auburn. The current time is 08:04:33.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.